In a surprising turn before closing arguments, federal prosecutors trimmed key elements from the racketeering conspiracy charge against music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, dropping allegations of attempted arson, kidnapping, and aiding sex trafficking. The decision, made in a bid to simplify jury instructions, keeps all five core charges intact—centered on sex trafficking, forced labor, and prostitution. As the courtroom inches toward its final showdown, the spotlight tightens on the heart of the accusations, leaving behind the flashier claims in favor of a sharper, focused legal battle.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
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Diddy Trial Update: Closing arguments set to begin Thursday in Diddy’s federal trial.
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Diddy Charges Dropped: Prosecutors eliminate arson, kidnapping, and aiding sex trafficking theories.
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Refocused Prosecution: Government now concentrating on forced labor and sex trafficking.
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Defense Pushback: Diddy’s attorney argues there’s insufficient evidence across all counts.
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Kid Cudi Incident Dismissed: Allegation over Porsche firebombing no longer part of prosecution’s strategy.
In a notable shift just hours before the much-anticipated closing arguments in the federal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs, prosecutors have dropped several serious allegations tied to the broader racketeering conspiracy charge. The decision to remove the elements of attempted arson, attempted kidnapping, and aiding and abetting sex trafficking marks a strategic narrowing of the government’s case, now entering its final phase.
Diddy, the Grammy-winning music mogul and business figure, currently faces five federal counts that include racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Though all five core charges remain intact, the racketeering conspiracy component has now been streamlined. This comes after more than a month of testimony, witness statements, and mounting public interest.
According to a letter filed in court on Wednesday, the prosecution announced it would no longer pursue specific legal theories under the racketeering charge. Those included attempted kidnapping, attempted arson, and claims that Diddy had aided and abetted sex trafficking as part of a broader criminal enterprise.
“The Government is no longer planning to proceed on these theories of liability,” the letter stated. “So instructions are no longer necessary.”
Federal prosecutors initially alleged that Diddy orchestrated and benefited from a wide-ranging criminal enterprise involving not just sex trafficking and forced labor, but also violence, intimidation, and destruction of property. The indictment included claims of bribery, obstruction of justice, and more. But as the trial progressed, the government appeared to recalibrate its focus.
The decision to pare down the racketeering charge came one day after a vigorous argument by Alexandra Shapiro, one of Diddy’s lead defense attorneys, who pressed the judge for a full acquittal. During her presentation in court on Tuesday, Shapiro methodically addressed each of the five charges, citing what she called “deficiencies” in the evidence and questioning the reliability of witness testimony.
She directly challenged two of the three kidnapping allegations, describing them as “insufficient” and lacking the critical elements required under federal law. In one instance, former employee Capricorn Clark testified that she had been transported to a dilapidated building where she was subjected to polygraph tests for five consecutive days. According to her testimony, if she failed, a man told her she would be thrown in the East River.
While the story was harrowing, Shapiro argued that the prosecution failed to establish that Diddy was aware of, involved in, or had directed the incident in any way.
“There is no evidence that Mr. Combs knew about this incident, let alone orchestrated or condoned it,” Shapiro told the court.
Another controversial allegation involved rapper Scott Mescudi, better known as Kid Cudi. He claimed that in early 2012, Diddy had firebombed his Porsche after discovering that Cudi had dated Cassie Ventura, a longtime romantic partner of Diddy. The accusation led to media frenzy and added a sensational element to the proceedings. However, Shapiro firmly denied her client’s involvement.
“Mr. Mescudi did not witness the alleged act,” she noted. “And DNA recovered from the bottle used in the alleged Molotov cocktail belonged to a female individual, not Mr. Combs.”
As the trial draws closer to its conclusion, the prosecution has chosen to center its case on proving that Diddy participated in forced labor and sex trafficking as part of an unlawful enterprise. These charges, federal attorneys argue, still reflect the gravity and scope of the allegations, even without the elements now removed.
Though the judge has not yet ruled on the motion for acquittal raised by the defense, the narrowing of the case may affect the final jury instructions and how the remaining charges are interpreted.
Diddy has denied all allegations since the start of the investigation and has maintained his innocence throughout the trial.
Closing arguments are scheduled for Thursday morning, where both sides will deliver their final appeals to the jury. The outcome of the Diddy trial may hinge on the remaining racketeering theories and how convincingly each side presents their case in the final hours.
As the Diddy trial enters its final phase, the prosecution’s decision to withdraw high-profile allegations of kidnapping and arson signals a calculated shift toward a more focused legal strategy. With attention now centered on the core charges of sex trafficking and forced labor, the jury will face a streamlined case—yet one still rooted in serious federal accusations. While some Diddy charges were dropped, the courtroom tension remains high, and all eyes turn to the closing arguments, where both sides will attempt to leave a lasting impression before the verdict is handed down.
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